How to Grow and Care for Corn plant

Corn plant, also known as Cornstalk dracena, Mass cane, Happy plant, Fragrant dracaena, Dragon tree

Corn plant is generally low-maintenance, suitable for beginners. Special care points include avoiding direct sunlight, as it prefers indirect light, and ensuring proper drainage to prevent root rot. Watering should be moderate—allowing the soil to dry between waterings to avoid over-saturation is critical for corn plant's health.

Watering schedule: Every 2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

Toxic to Pets

In This Article

Planting and Growing Corn plant

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Late spring, Summer, Fall
Hardiness Zones	10-13
Toxicity	Toxic to Pets

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Varieties of Corn plant

Mass Cane

Mass Cane is a large Dracaena cultivar that is quite similar to the 'Lemon Lime' cultivar of the same plant. The main difference? The mass Cane's leaves are striped, but it features its lime or evergreen stripes on the edges of its leaves and has its yellower stripe in the middle ('Lemon Lime' looks similar, but its colors are reversed). Being a hardy plant that tolerates indoor conditions very well, this cultivar is popularly grown in houses and offices.

Striped dracaena 'Lemon Surprise'

The Lemon Surprise Dracaena is named for its fabulous leaves which have citrusy yellow-green edges that contrast with the plain green leaves of its parent plant. The leaves of the striped dracaena 'Lemon Surprise' also often have curled edges, adding to their ornamental appeal. This attractive heat-loving plant is easy-to-care-for and makes a great houseplant.

Warneckii

Warneckii is a variation of Dracaena fragrans with narrower leaves and white, gray, or light green variegation. The leaves are stiff and relatively tough, so this plant can stand up to a bit more indoor traffic that might damage more delicate plants.

Cornstalk Dracaena 'Golden Coast'

Cornstalk Dracaena 'Golden Coast' is a comparatively recent hybrid — found in 1987 in Naaldwijk, in the Netherlands. The name Golden Coast refers to the attractive gold edges of its dark green evergreen leaves. These make a contrast to the plain green leaves of its African native parent plant. The heat-loving plant is particularly resilient and helps clear toxins from the air.

Corn plant 'Janet Craig Compacta'

Corn plant 'Janet Craig Compacta' is a smaller, stockier Dracaena cultivar. Its overall rosette is more petite and features shorter, thicker leaves than its larger Dracaena cousins. The leaves on corn plant 'Janet Craig Compacta' also tend to take on a dark, evergreen color, rather than a bright neon or lime green. Slow growing, easy to take care of, and requiring little indirect light, this cultivar is popular at homes and office spaces.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Corn plant

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More General Info About Corn plant

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Quickly Identify Corn plant

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Corn plant is an evergreen perennial that typically presents as an interior shrub. This plant can be identified by its tall, unbranched stem that supports a cluster of spirally arranged, broad, strap-like leaves. Each individual leaf can be characterized by its linear-lanceolate shape, generally measuring 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) in width, with one or two central stripes varying from yellow to white. While blossoms are rare indoors, the plant is known to produce sweetly scented flowers.